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The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Thursday morning. Commissioners Dennis Purcell and Gary Larson reported that both District 1 and District 2 road crews are on holiday vacation. Starting in May, road crews work four 10-hour days and have Fridays off, but since the county is taking Friday off in observance of Independence Day, road crews were allowed to take Thursday off as a paid holiday. The Commissioners stated that crews have been busy this week in both districts grading roads, repairing chip and seal and continuing with the ongoing effort of removing debris from roadways and ditches.  Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he and Commissioners Purcell and Larson attended a Sunshine Law Meeting Tuesday evening, and he and Commissioner Larson and Dent County Clerk Angie Curley attended a FEMA Public Assistance Briefing on Wednesday in Houston.  Skiles met with prospective bidders for flooring in the Judicial Building yesterday afternoon and will also meet with them today at 2:00. County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind everyone that July 8^th is the last day to register to vote for the August 4^th Special Election. This is for residents in the R-80 School District only because the special election only has ballot issues concerning the R-80 district. Jack Todd with Victor Heating and Cooling came by the meeting to discuss with the Commission two options he had for fixing the cooling system in the Judicial Building. Currently an older 5-ton unit cools the Extension Office and Judges Chambers, but majority of the air is going into the Extension Office, making it extremely hot in the Judges offices. Todd had two proposals: one was for a Zone System which allows for two temperature settings on one unit and the price for that was $3,265 with a $485 heat pump option; and the other option was to install a new 3-ton unit for the Judges offices only and the price for that was $5,386. The Commission was going to discuss these options more and said that if they choose to go with a new unit, they would put that out for bid. At 10:00 the Commission and Paul Frisbee with Anderson and Associates opened bids for work in the Judicial Building Annex. The Commission received two bids: one from Ad Par Construction for $24,400 and the other from Morton Construction Company for $16,775. The Commission voted to accept the bid from Morton Construction Company and Steve Morton was present at the meeting and said he would begin the work in the next three to four weeks. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public and the Commission will also meet for their quarterly night meeting Monday at 7:00 in the Judicial Building and that meeting is also open to the public.

An accident happened on Wednesday, July 1^st at 2:30 in the afternoon at the intersection of Park and Gibbs in Salem. According to the Salem Police report, a blue 2008 Nissan Altima SE driven by David James of Jadwin was southbound on South Park Street at Gibbs Avenue. A maroon 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by James Gibbs of Salem and owned by Brian Cahill was at the stop sign on West Gibbs. The Dodge started to cross Park Street and made contact with the Nissan. James suffered minor injury and sought his own medical attention by private means. The Nissan sustained moderate damage while and Dodge sustained minor damage.

In communities across the U.S. this weekend as people celebrate the Fourth of July by enjoying fireworks remember fireworks safety. If you plan on viewing fireworks, attend a public display where professionals are in charge. For those families determined to have their own fireworks, please use extreme caution. Whether you’re the one lighting the fireworks or those sitting around watching the fireworks, be safe! Also remember, it is illegal to shoot fireworks within the City limits of Salem.   

Be sure and come out for the 4^th of July Celebration Saturday at the Commons located Highway 72 in Salem. Beginning at 8:00 am there will be a flea market, and crafts booths. Food vendors will be setup selling shaved ice, BBQ, kettle corn, ice cream, funnel cakes and a whole lot more. From 9:00 to 3:00 there will be a car show, the Radical Rompers will be at the Commons from 1:00 to 9:00 and the Independence Day Parade, sponsored by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, will begin at 6:00 pm. The theme for the Independence Day Parade is "Let Freedom Ring." After the parade and back at The Commons, the Iron Mountain Bluegrass Band will be providing music from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and at dark, around 9:30 the fireworks display will burst through the sky at the Commons. For more information, contact the City of Salem at 729-4811.

Enjoy a day of music and crafts at the annual "Sunday at Montauk" event on July 5^th at Montauk State Park near Salem. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the event will be held in the area adjacent to the park's open picnic shelter from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and it is free and open to the public. View the wares of crafters and watch them demonstrate their talents in a variety of skills including a tinsmith. You can also tour Montauk Mill, which was built in 1896 and still contains most of its original machinery. It is the only remaining structure from the once-thriving Montauk community. The mill is located just across the road from the event area. Bring your lawn chairs and relax under the large old walnut shade trees or dance to an assortment of live musical performances throughout the day. Musicians will play a variety of music and a large ground-level wooden platform will be available for dancers. Ample parking will be available in the large parking lot adjacent to the Montauk Mill and in a nearby open field. Food and refreshments, provided by the park's Dorman L. Steelman Lodge, will be sold from the open picnic shelter house. Montauk State Park is located 22 miles south of Salem on Highway 119. For more information, contact the park at (573) 548-2201.

Businesses who suffered property damage or loss from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 8^th through the 16th can register for federal disaster assistance. Registration is available by calling 1-800 621-3362 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week, or at www.disasterassistance.gov. In order to complete an application, the following information is necessary: a phone number, address of the damaged property, a brief description of damages, a Social Security number, any insurance information and a current mailing address. The counties in which residents are eligible to register for disaster assistance are: Dent, Shannon, Texas, and surrounding counties. Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets The U.S. Small Business Administration also sends loss verifiers to inspect damaged property of those who have submitted completed loan applications. And local building and safety inspectors may come to see if damaged structures are safe. All of these inspectors should have photo identification

Residents who suffered property damage or loss from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 8^th through the 16th can register for federal disaster assistance. Registration is available by calling 1-800 621-3362 or at www.disasterassistance.gov from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. In order to complete an application, the following information is necessary: a phone number, address of the damaged property, a brief description of damages, a Social Security number, any insurance information and a current mailing address. The counties in which residents are eligible to register for disaster assistance are: Dent, Shannon, Texas, and surrounding counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, in addition to grants for serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate victims for their entire loss. For those with insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered by insurance. Residents who applied for disaster assistance and are not insured can expect to hear from an inspector who will schedule a visit to look at damaged property. FEMA schedules inspections within 7 to 10 days to verify losses.

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Funeral services for Johnny Eugene Elliott of Salem, age 62, will be held today at 1:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Chapel in Salem. Visitation will be held from 11:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Anutt Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

Funeral services for Walter Thomas “Tom” Claus of St. James, age 62, will be held today at 2:00 at James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James.  Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time.  Interment will be in the Wishon Cemetery in St. James.  Memorials are suggested to the family.

Funeral services for Dorothy Kahn of Salem, age 92, will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Edgar Cemetery in Salem. Memorials may be made to the Edgar Cemetery.

Funeral services for Gilbert (Gibby) Wisdom of Salem, age 84, will be held Tuesday morning at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary Chapel in Salem. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 tonight. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Salem.

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